On Sunday May 19th, 2013 Abigail was baptized at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vancouver, Washington. Ashley and Matt asked my brother Rob and his wife Judy to be Abby’s Godparents. Rob holds a special place in Ashley’s heart as he is her Godfather. Rob was with us at St Mary’s Cathedral when Ashley was a senior in high school and she was confirmed. Two years ago Rob gave a reading at St Mary’s Cathedral during Ashley and Matt’s wedding ceremony.

Ashley was baptized at St. Francis Church in Portland Oregon in 1984. The gown that Ashely and Abigail wore is a heirloom from my mother-in-law Yvonne’s family. The children of Pauline Baumann and Harry Hill Harrison wore this gown; Homer born 1888, Violet born 1889, Beulah born 1891, and Alma born 1895. Alma is Abigail’s great great grandmother. This gown at least 125 years old. Click here to read about the Harrison family in a previous blog post.

Other babies who were baptized in this gown were Frank & Don Zeck, John & Brian Zeck, Don Jr & Heidi Zeck. My mother-in-law Yvonne left us a note telling us she used to dress her Mary Jane dolls in the gown and said that the gown was not used for her generation. Yvonne asked that this gown be passed down with love and respect.

Heidi, Ashley, Don Sr, Don Jr

For this sacred ceremony Abigail Rose wore the same treasured gown as her ancestors. And so precious Abby, may the blessings of the Lord be with you on this happy day and always!

My mother-in-law was born in 23 Apr 1920 in Chicago, Illinois, she passed away 21 Jun 2007 in Vancouver, WA. Yvonne had no siblings. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois and worked for a brief time as a social worker. Yvonne married Francis H. C. Zeck on 20 Jan 1943 at the age of 22. Her first son Francis Harry was born nine months later, and her second son Donald Arthur (my husband) was born in 1946. Yvonne traveled the world with her husband Harry (see post about Francis H. C. Zeck) and was a loving and supportive military wife. Yvonne’s father was Arthur Harold Porche born 10 Feb 1895 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Arthur’s WW II draft card lists his address at 424 W. 60th Place in Chicago. His employer was Illinois Iron and Bolt, his job title was a Division Sales Manager, and his work address was 918 S. Michigan Ave. Arthur was killed in January 1947 in a small engine airplane crash.

Harry and Yvonne

Yvonne Porche Univ of Illinois

The following is taken from an article in the Stars and Stripes newspaper; “Private Plane Explodes in Indiana, Killing 5. Rensselaer Indiana Jan 26 1947 (his wife Alma’s birthday). The pilot and four passengers were killed last night in the explosion and crash of a twin-engined Beechcraft private plane in a barnyard six miles southeast of Rensselaer.” Arthur’s father was named J. George Porche born in 1856 in Louisiana and his mother was Amelia Tervalon born approx 1856. Arthur had 6 siblings Edna, May, George, Stanley, Mildred, and Clifford. Click here to read an article about the crash from The Arlington Heights Herald 31 Jan 1947. Arthur enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp on 03 Jun 1917. Frank remembers his mother telling him that “Arthur was sent to France where he met with family members and served as an interpreter for the US Forces, and that he was wounded in the Battle of Belleau Wood”. The muster roll from Sept 1918 listed Arthur #122479 Porche “trans. to S.O.S. Hospital”. Click here to read the Muster Roll. Most of the men listed with him on the muster roll have the following remarks “slightly wounded in action during attack on Hill 160.600 yds NW of Tigny Prov of the Aisne, France”.

Arthur Harold Porche

Arthur Porche

The Battle of Belleau Wood was the first real taste of battle for the US Marines in WWI with General Pershing calling Belleau Wood the most important battle fought by US forces since the US Civil War. Click here to read more about the Battle of Belleau Wood 1918. Yvonne’s mother was Alma Pauline Harrison born 26 Jan 1895 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Alma died in 1987 at the age of 92. Alma had two sisters Violet and Beulah and she had a brother named Homer. In 2011 email correspondence began

Sisters Alma and Beulah

between Shirley and I. Shirley is the granddaughter of Beulah. Alma (Don’s grandmother) and Beulah are sisters. Alma and Beulah’s parents were Pauline Barbara Baumann and Harry Hill Harrison. Shirley has an extensive family tree account at Ancestry.com and she invited me to look at her tree, documents, and photos. She has graciously agreed to share some of her research in this blog post. I want to extend to her my sincere appreciation. Alma and Beulah’s grandparents were Matilda Johnson (1852-1922) and James Connor Baumann (1848-1928). James Baumann was born on 27 Apr 1848 on the Atlantic Ocean aboard the ship the “James Corner”. Thus he was given the name James Connor. His parents Samuel Baumann and Maria Barbara Peterhans were immigrating from Stilli, Switzerland to New Orleans, Louisiana arriving 18 May 1848. Samuel left behind his parents, three brothers and two sisters.James was 3 weeks old when the ship docked.

James Connor Baumann approx 1921

James and Matilda married in 1868 and they had 10 children. On 30 Jan 1870 James was appointed a Kennerville school director. The town of Kenner is 13 miles west of New Orleans. My husband and I stopped in New Orleans during our honeymoon. If only we’d known how close we were to Zeck ancestors we would definitely have detoured to Kenner! In1880 James Baumann was elected Mayor of Kenner running for the Republican party. The 1887 city directory lists James as a clerk for the 26th Judicial Court for Kennerville. In 1891 he was an assistant foreman at the U.S. Mint. Then on 40 Dec 1891 James was shot at and decided to leave Kenner. Click here to read the newspaper clipping about the mysterious assault. He moved his family to 720 Lyon St in New Orleans. On 26 Sep 1892 the New York Times printed an article that James was “arrested and charged with being an accessory to the attempted assassination of Judge Long in Gretna in July. He was taken to Gretna by Sheriff Landridge of Jefferson Parish and locked up. Baumann’s arrest grows out of the confession of Dennis Richards, a negro who was arrested last Friday in swamp near Boutte. Richards admits that he fired the shots which wounded Judge Long, but further says that Baumann offered him $100 to kill Long.

James & Matilda Baumann and family

He also says that he was in communication with Baumann after the shooting, and that Baumann promised to send him money and use his influence to get him out of the trouble.” Click here to read the full article. A second article describes the evidence in more detail, click here to read the article. James was eventually acquitted and went on to become a real estate agent. Click here to read the article from the Times-Picayune dated 26 Jan 1893 which states there was not enough evidence to hold and charge him. From 1900-1915 James was appointed a U.S. Shipping Commissioner at the U.S. Custom House. A 1902 newspaper article details the damage done by a lightening strike at the Baumann home. Click here to read the article. James passed away in 1928 at the age of 79 in Los Angeles which is where he is buried. You can see that newspapers play a huge roll in a genealogists quest to know their ancestors. I wonder if my mother-in-law knew that her great grandfather led such an interesting life. In some journal notes left to us Yvonne wrote “Alma’s grandfather James came to visit us in Chicago. Oh, how impressed I was with his tall slim stature, thatch of pure white hair and the fact he was born on the Atlantic coming from Germany. Alma seems to have been in awe of these grandparents who gave Alma her first pick of the fruit from their own trees.” Yvonne wrote “Alma’s father used to tell funny, outrageous tales. He used to hide lemon drops in his pocket and permit me to search for them.”

San Francisco painted by Yvonne

Yvonne had a insatiable appetite for books and the arts. She loved letter writing and appreciated rich textured stationary. She was one of the most gracious and giving people I have ever known. Mimi, as she was known after her first grandchild was born, was a talented painter. She collected small charms from all over the world and always dressed in coordinating colors. She must have had two dozen different colored Keds tennis shoes so that all of her outfits

Harry & Yvonne with Frank & Don

matched. Mimi worked with miniatures and made a Christmas tree with miniature ornaments and gifts. I put it on our table every year. Mimi and Gramps loved to travel in their 40 foot Beaver motor coach. Of all her passions I believe Mimi loved her family the most, and I for one adored her!

Don remembers “I loved going to visit Mom. Her smile would melt the snow on Mt Hood. Mom always made me feel like a success. She had to have everything in perfect order. We’d go to her house for Sunday dinner and I would rearrange the order of the towels in the bathroom. It drove her crazy! Mimi kept in contact with her many life long friends over the years showing she appreciated the value of an old friend.” “I remember how Mom broke out in tears as we finished a hike on Mt. Hood.” Don continued. “I showed her my secret valley and panoramic view. Later she asked that her ashes be taken to that spot because it was so special.” And that is exactly what Don and I did.

My father-in-law was known to all as “Colonel”. He was an amazing man. People respected and admired him. He was born 04 Oct 1921 and passed away 06 May 2007. Harry received his bachelors degree from the University of Illinois. He entered the US Army in 1943 as a Sergeant and retired in 1974 as a Colonel from the US Air Force. In his 30 year carrier with the military Harry served during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The photo to the left was taken on the island of Espiritu Santo (east of Australia). Harry said that the navy dropped them off on the island with rations of orange marmalade and spam. Harry had one brother named Raymond. Ray was a radar mechanic for the 747th bomb squad. His “battles and campaigns” include: S. France, N. France, Rhineland, Central Europe, air offensive Europe and air combat Balkans.

Harry Jr approx 1967

The photo on the right is of my father-in-law. From 1966-1968 he was stationed in Taiwan as a military advisor to the Taiwan Air Force. Last week I decided to go through some genealogy notes my mother and Aunt Agnes (Raymond’s wife) passed down to the Zeck family.

Florence and Harry Zeck

Here’s a little family tree background: Harry’s mother was Florence Margaret Huff. She was born 17 Jul 1893 in Girard, Illinois and died 25 Dec 1983 in Universal City, Texas. Harry’s father was Herman (Harry) Karl (Charles) Zech (Zeck). He was born 29 Jun 1890 in Danzig, Poland and died 16 Sep 1983 in Chicago Illinois. Harry Sr changed the spelling of the family name from Zech to Zeck. It is not known if he also shortened it. Harry Sr’s family immigrated from Poland to Sandusky, Ohio. Harry Sr was a manager for U.S. Sample Company. I remember my father-in-law telling me that during the depression Harry Sr would bring home fabric samples and Florence would make slacks and suits for Ray and Harry Jr. Harry Sr invented and patented a machine to glue and attach fabric samples on card stock for the fabric salesmen to use in the field.

Col Frances Harry Charles Zeck

Documents that my mother in law saved show that Harry’s grandparents on his father’s side were named Carl August Zech (1857-1930) and Julianna Dombrowski (1857-1942). Carl’s parents were David Zech and Christine Lenfer. Harry’s grandparents on his mother Florence’s side were Alice Wheeler (1872-1963) and Albert Huff (1865-1939). Florence and Albert had 6 children: Edward, May, Florence, William, George and Marcella. Albert was a policeman for the city of Chicago. Click here to see a record of funeral costs and an obituary for Albert Huff. Albert’s obituary states: “Albert Huff, 76 years old, a retired policeman, died yesterday in Blaine Ramsay hospital. Huff saw service at the Iroquois fire, the stockyards fire of 1910, and the Eastland Disaster. He lived at 1330 South Pulaski Road. Surviving are his widow, Alice, three daughters, Mrs Florence Zeck, Mae, and Marcella, and three sons, William, Edward, and George. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 9:15 am in the chapel at 4817 Madison Street, with burial in All Saints’ Cemetery.”

In the Eastland disaster of 1915 844 employees and family of Western Electric Co. drown in an accident on the Chicago River. Click here for a link to the disaster from the Chicago Tribune. My father-in-law’s grandfather was a huge part of Chicago’s history at the turn of the century. Harry was born in 1921, he was 18 years old when his grandfather died. I wonder if he asked his grandfather about his experiences on the police force.

During his career Harry served at Guadacanal, Okinawa, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. State side he was stationed in Illinois, Michigan, Alabama, Oregon, Washington DC, and Texas. In the photo on the left Harry is pictured with his horse named Kit. He was a Second Lieutenant with the US Army (which became the Army/Air Corp. and then became the US Air Force). Harry quickly rose in rank, in 1945 he was promoted to First Lieutenant Captain Major in the Air National Guard. In 1951 he was promoted to Major, in 1953 promoted again to Lieutenant Colonel. From 1954-1956 he was stationed in Korea and Japan as Director of Personnel. From 1957-1962 the family were living in Washington DC, Harry was at the Pentagon in charge of Airman Procurement. He was then assigned to the University of Portland in Oregon as their Professor of Aerospace. Upon returning from Taiwan as a military advisor (1966-1968) Harry was promoted to Colonel and was stationed in San Antonio, Texas. Harry retired from the Air Force in 1974.

Harry and Yvonne have two sons; Frances Harry and Donald Arthur. They are grandparents to Don, Heidi, Ashley, John and Brian. They are great grandparents to Kayla, Nathan, Tyler, Samantha and Abigail. Harry and Yvonne passed away within two months of each other in 2007. I miss them every single day.

Harry and Yvonne with their descendants.

A week after my father-in-law passed away I was at Glenwood retirement center visiting my mother-in-law. A nurse’s aid stopped me in the hall and said she had something she wanted me to hear. She pulled out her phone and I listened to a recording of the Colonel sing “Oh, how I hate to get up in the Morning”. She said “Harry had two songs that he liked to sing in the shower in the the morning and I recorded them both”. I told her that I was so grateful to her for making these recordings, now Harry’s descendants will forever be able to hear his voice. What a wonderful act of kindness. Click the following link to hear the Colonel singing: Col Zeck Singing The Bugler Song 2007.

Heidi Nelson

Harry and Yvonne are buried at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland Oregon. Our daughter Heidi is a corrections officer and honor guard for Multnomah County. Heidi presented a flag to her father Don and to her uncle Frank at their parents memorial service. Frank suggested that Harry and Yvonne’s headstone should be engraved “Parents and Patriots”. Two words that describe Harry and Yvonne perfectly.